A fire at Bouthillier & Rioux Inc. on Friday afternoon caused flames and plumes of smoke so large they could be seen from kilometres away. (Maxime Landry/QMI Agency)

A fire in east Montreal Friday afternoon destroyed an oil and fuel delivery business, and caused flames and plumes of smoke so large they could be seen from kilometres away.

The fire started at around 4 p.m. at Bouthillier & Rioux Inc., on Boussuet Street at Ontario street in the city’s east end.

Nearly 150 firefighters were dispatched to battle the blaze because of the risk of the flames spreading to neighbouring buildings. Several nearby homes were evacuated, and Hydro Quebec cut electricity to 2,200 subscribers as a precaution.

Shortly before 6 p.m., firefighters said the fire was under control, though it was still burning in parts of the building that had collapsed.

Because the fire was oil-based, firefighters had to use foam to cover and smother the flames, Montreal fire spokesman Andre Paquette said.

Fire investigators will examine the scene once the fire is completely extinguished.